Last year, Africa No Filter, a donor collaboration seeking to change traditional African narratives, established the Tony Elumelu Storytellers Fund. The Fund, named after African business magnate and philanthropist Tony O. Elumelu, will provide awards to young artists and storytellers whose work highlights entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in Africa. The $30,000 fund is sponsored by Heirs Insurance and Heirs Life Assurance, which are insurance divisions of Heirs Holdings, a pan-African investment business.

The Tony Elumelu Storytellers Fund is a stand-alone program that builds on his commitment to catalyzing a reimagined African success story, powered by Africa’s young and their innovative ideas. The Fund invites journalists, filmmakers, content producers, and visual and performing artists to submit multimedia creative concepts that tell the stories of inspiring entrepreneurs while also showcasing Africa’s authentic and good entrepreneurial spirit.

Elumelu was born on March 22, 1963, in Jos, Plateau, Nigeria, to Suzanne and Dominic Elu of Onicha-Ukwu, Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Bendel State University (now Ambrose Alli University). Later, he earned a Master of Science degree in Economics from the University of Lagos.

Elumelu began his career as a salesman after serving in the National Youth Service Corps at Union Bank in 1985. He later joined Allstates Trust Bank.

Tony Elumelu enjoys the most luxurious Nigerian life after 60 years of dedication to mankind

 In 1997, Elumelu led a small group of investors to acquire Crystal Bank (later renamed Standard Trust Bank). He made it profitable within a few years, and in 2005, he managed one of the greatest financial mergers in Sub-Saharan Africa, acquiring the United Bank for Africa (UBA).

Following the merger of Standard Trust Bank and United Bank for Africa in 2005, Elumelu led the company as Group Managing Director from a single-country banking group to a pan-African bank with subsidiaries in 20 African countries, France, the U.S and the U.K, eventually stepping down in 2010. Elumelu now serves as chairman of the United Bank for Africa’s board.